Research is at the heart of the college experience and being at Columbia puts you at the center of one of the world’s great research universities. Pursuing research as an undergraduate will help you connect with professors, explore interests outside of the classroom, prepare for your thesis and/or grad school, dive into exciting projects, and gain valuable skills for life after college.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
The Columbia Research platform serves as a hub for undergraduates to search for research opportunities of all kinds and in all fields of study, from the life and physical sciences through mathematics and engineering to social sciences and humanities.
Meet Some GS Student Researchers
Research opportunities at Columbia span a variety of disciplines and transcend the classroom experience, enhancing the Columbia undergraduate experience like no other. Meet a few GS student researchers and learn about their projects!
Johntae Jeffries '25GS
"Having not done research before, I wanted to demystify the idea that research is “too complicated”...I wanted to break the barrier of what makes research so scary to enter for undergraduates."
Johntae Jeffries, a biophysics major, presented his research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium. His research was done in Sahin Lab where he developed and tested a novel technology that allows imaging of topological changes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts in vivo.
In partaking in the research opportunity, one of Jeffries's major goals was to break the barrier of what makes research so scary for undergraduates.
Funding Your Research
Many resources exist specifically for GS students to fund their research, from applyting to be a Bancroft Research Scholar to the GS Senior Thesis Stipend, the GS Research Stipend, and more.
GS Students Presenting at the Fall 2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium
Image Carousel with 12 slides
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Slide 1: Taylor Moniz '25GS
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Slide 2: Peter Gorman '25GS
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Slide 3: Josephine Koch '25GS
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Slide 4: Marianna Wrona '25GS
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Slide 5: Johntae Jeffries '25GS
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Slide 6: GS Undergraduate Researchers
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Slide 7: Griffin Fadellin '25GS and Mohammad Zaidi CC'25
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Slide 8: Emily Kalfas '25GS
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Slide 9: Christopher Brice '27GS
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Slide 10: Ava Kamdem '25GS
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Slide 11: Arman Tavallaei '25GS
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Slide 12: Amael Vaisse '25GS
Upcoming Research Events
Bancroft Research Scholars
The Bancroft Research Scholars Program aims to provide GS students with the opportunity and funding to participate in undergraduate research during the academic year. This program enhances your academic experience, fosters intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, and prepares you for graduate studies or a career in research.
GS Student Researchers in the News
Embracing Newness: Trinity Dual BA Student on Pushing Academic Passions Beyond the Classroom
Trinity Dual BA student Maya Koka ‘26GS has a passion for philosophy that drives her participation in intellectual opportunities beyond the usual classroom experience. She reflects on how her time in the Dual BA has taught her all about embracing the unknown.
Making the World a Better Place Through Climate System Science
Ahinoam Toubia '25GS discusses researching minerals at the American Museum of Natural History and why she's passionate about the climate and science.
Demystifying Undergraduate Research With Two GS Student Researchers
Vien Nguyen ‘26GS and Johntae Jeffries ’25GS share their research projects and the impact it has had on their undergraduate experience.
Connect with the GS Office of Academic Affairs
The GS Office of Academic Affairs can help you: explore your research interests, connect you with departments and faculty members, look for research and/or fellowship opportunities, review your research applications, and more.
Dean Novarr joined GS in 2009. As a mentor to fellowship candidates and Postbac Premed students, he helps students assess the meaning of their lives' trajectories, identify their long-term goals, and express their intellectual interests in comprehensible and appealing ways. He also assists in managing the academic honors and prizes awarded by the college. He holds degrees in English literature, law, and political philosophy and has 15 years of experience as an educator.
Dean of Academic Affairs
Contact Us
The GS Office of Academic Affairs works collaboratively with the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships office to give students as much help in their pursuits as they wish to receive. We make a point of listening with an open mind and assisting our students find research opportunities that are right for them.